mission

Invest in Youth enhances the academic abilities, life prospects and self-confidence of struggling learners in Seattle Public Schools.

vision

Invest in Youth envisions a community where all children are confident, capable learners who engage with and look for solutions to the challenges around them.

Values

Compassion - Our work is driven by care, kindness and consideration.

Collaboration - We partner with each school and adapt our program and each tutoring session to the needs of students.

Determination - Grit, effort and resiliency are paramount to success.

Integrity - We have high standards for trust and consistency.

history

Invest in Youth is a business-to-youth tutoring program created in 1997 by financial advisor Harriett Morton. Sponsored by her firm, Morton, Clarke, Fu & Metcalf, Harriett understood the importance of a strong education in creating confident, good, productive citizens. As a professional in the financial services industry, she believed her professional colleagues would be willing to volunteer as after school tutors and offer struggling students the inimitable one-on-one time of a caring adult.

The program developed as a way to assist students with their homework at the earliest age available, grades three through five. Tutor/student pairings ideally last multiple school years. Schools meet three criteria: a substantial number of students in need of tutoring, school administrators who welcome the "one hour, one child, one day a week" idea and easy access for downtown employees on their way home.

Harriett began Invest in Youth with 9 tutors at one school. By the end of our 21st school year (2017-2018), the program regularly counts more than 100 volunteer tutors, serving approximately 100 students each year. The program has expanded to include tutors from other professions, as well as students. Currently, the program operates in six schools and offers a one-on-one approach in all schools, as well as a small group enrichment program at three sites.

As our school system changes, Invest in Youth will continue to grow and adapt to our community's needs. Presently, Invest in Youth is run by a small staff and a very active board of directors.